Carimi set to have knee scoped, return uncertain

UPDATE: “Gabe Carimi had a minor scope on his knee,” Bears coach Lovie Smith said Friday. “Of course, don’t know exactly how long Gabe will be out.”

“Minor and injured reserve don’t go together right away,” Smith said. “Again, I can’t really talk much on it right now. We’ll know more once we get more information. Right now, I just know he’s not going to play this week and might be out a while.”

Bears first-round offensive tackle Gabe Carimi will undergo an “arthroscopic debridement” procedure on his injured right knee on Friday, the team announced.

Otherwise known as a “scope”, the procedure removes damaged cartilage or bone from the joint. Recovery times can vary and the Bears placed no timetable on when Carimi would be able to return.

Selected with the 29th overall pick of the 2011 NFL draft, Carimi started the first two games of the regular season at right tackle. Injured in Week 2, Carimi has missed the last six games and obviously will not play on Sunday afternoon against the Lions.